Pitkanen to have knee surgery

Canes defenseman Joni Pitkanen will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks, general manager Jim Rutherford said today. Pitkanen has skated this week in informal workouts at the RecZone in preparation for training camp but left the ice early on Wednesday. He had knee surgery early last season and missed eight games. "I don't know exactly the nature of the injury but it is my understanding he will be out for a couple of weeks," Rutherford said. "My understanding of it is that it is minor." Pitkanen led the Canes in average ice time last season (24:48) and was 15th in the NHL. Rutherford is in Traverse City, Mich., for the NHL Prospects Tournament that ends today. He said Canes defenseman Michal Jordan suffered a knee injury last night but said he's hopeful the injury is not serious.